I am about to do a stress test on treadmill but worried about it because I am not that fit or young, and have a history of pvcs and atrial fib. I am concern about the pace of it since I don’t want to kick off these issues and coming off beta blockers for 48 hours is a concern! How hard to do they push you?
stress test concerns: I am about to do... - British Heart Fou...
stress test concerns
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Moonriver
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they are absolutely used to people from fitness fanatics to oldies. They don’t push beyond endurances
Well thank heavens for that Rosie!
Hello 
It is easy to say do not worry but there is nothing to worry about
So many of us have to come of beta blockers and other meds to have tests done and if they did not think we were safe to do so then they would not tell us to stop them a few days so try and not worry over that one
Having this test done is a good thing they can see how well your heart is working and make sure you are on the correct treatment so see it as a positive and be reassured they will not push you any further than you can manage
Let us know how you get on x
Hi BeKind, I was concerned about coming off the bb. I take low dose nebivoloL meant to suit those with asthma…has so far. I just didn’t want to push myself into AF or pvcs on effort. But strangely I find walking stops my PVCs!
To add to the others you will have ECG wires connected so will be monitoring live and will stop if needed.
When I had mine done many years ago (was a gym freak) the doctor said the target was a heart rate of 100, after 10 mins at ever increasing speed/elevation I was pouring sweat and still only high 90's. He finally stopped and I said was that ok? He responded yeah most people only last 2-3 mins 🤯😂
If you don't feel confident on a treadmill, which I certainly didn't there care other options. Even as a youngster I couldn't use a treadmill , it would move , I would freeze and after a pitiful attempt to stay up would always come off the end , much like someone on You've Been Framed!!😆😆😆I knew that was not going to make doing a Stress Test easy , plus one of my heart conditions makes running or going uphill in an upright position impossible without me passing out, even though other exercises, on an even level or with legs raised up I can do with more stamina.
So I asked about the possibility of doing my Stress Test on a bike instead of the treadmill .
This is definitely available on the NHS but not as common, they are used more in other countries , especially the US and Oz.
Furthermore, I went to a hospital a little further away than my nearest one and I was able to use a recumbent bike with chest band to do my Stress Test instead of the usual upright bike.
They basically change the incline or speed on the bike instead , but the seated test was a lot easier for me to do and allowed them to test my ability and endurance with activity I'm allowed to do, in more normal circumstances , not something that I'm usually advised to avoid.
So I'd ring up the Cardiac Unit or Test Unit and request if you could have a bike test instead , preferably a recumbent one, to help with your confidence and reduce any Anxiety you are feeling if you think a seated test rather than running test would be more suitable for you too.
It's not an age thing either , I'm 52 , or size as I'm tall, slightly underweight and was an athlete in my youth. But my Dysautonomia causes me to have permanent Tachycardia which is worse in a standing position , basically standing is my Cardio , so they couldn't have tested much at all if I'd been on a treadmill.
Good Luck and please update us about how it went , hugs , Bee
Hello Blearyeyed, thanks for replying. I have history of AF and PVCs so bit cautious of speeding things up. I am on cardio specific beta blockers. I couldn’t have the chemical one where they speed your heart up while lying down! That wd hv suited me perfectly 🤪🤪😀but I am a bit asthmatic. Although I did have one like that three years ago without a problem. I used to do Zumba but eased off that and just walk now. Will try the bike idea.! So here’s hoping. I wish you well.
Just for reference recumbents are a nice option unless you have knee issues, I could use an upright no problem but lay me down and i'm in pain within 2-3 mins.
The upright bike is still an option , although you don't lie down on a recumbent bike you sit up in the equivalent of a comfy seat just with your legs out at 60 degrees to your hips to use the pedals. The length to the pedals can be adjusted to the right length to keep knees relaxed and not put too much pressure through the joints or cause pain. As others have said they don't push you beyond healthy levels and you can stop when you need to .
Hi Bee, thought I would tell you I did quite well on the stress test on the bike that slopes! Achieved 90 per cent of expected heart rate and i am 70! I also had echo ultrasound at the same time, blood pressure cuff and contrast infusion.
Thanks so much for the update , glad you got the chance to do it on a bike and did a great job too! Are you going to write an update post , it might be quite a nice idea so that you can help make more people aware that they can choose to do their stress tests on a bike instead of a treadmill and how good the results can be. Take care , Bee
I'm not that fit either but from memory they just want you to raise your heart rate so they can see if there are any blockages (you are wired up)
So my understanding is that as long as you push yourself so your heart rate increases they can get a reading.
In all fairness I did better than I thought but had to ask them to stop before the end and the nurse told me that they had all the information they needed and that info resulted in an angiogram.
It's not a fitness test but a means to be able to get a reading as to how well (or not) your heart is working.
No doubt will be huffing and puffing. As you say all they need is a reading! Thanks Heather.😤😤😤😤😤
I knew I had a problem then and there. I said to the nurse that I didn't think I could do anymore, she responded with 'we've got all we need'! I realised that something had shown up! An Angiogram followed, by a bypass followed!
Hi l had that test a while back...they do push you a bit but closely watch you at same time and let you lie down to rest afterwards...it won't be a marathon 😉
Did one a short while ago. They have so many wires attached and check your blood pressure frequently. I have severe arthritis, a knee replacement,scoliosis and spondylitis and I had no problems. You just keep on going until you get too tired to carry on and theymeasure all sorts of stuff about your heart’s performance. It wasn’t difficult at all.
Well done doing the test with your arthritis. 👍👍😤😤
Are you sure it will be a treadmill? I have had 3 stress tests over the years - 2 were on an upright bike and one was reclining ( sort of lying down but not flat) and pedalling. The personnel are very experienced with this procedure. I had Paroxysmal Afib and it didn't trigger an episode. Take care
Not sure yet! 😤😤
Hopefully you have a choice. 🤞
Mine was most definitely a treadmill and until reading an earlier response I thought they were all done the same way.Obviously it doesn't matter as long as it increases your heart rate.
I think I would fall off one of those 😄
I did mine last month with a private provider that my firm sent me to.
First off, you’re all ECG’d up and will have a blood pressure cuff on.
The test is called the Bruce Stress Test and although there are different levels, you will be on the treadmill which is set to gradients and will be tested WALKING for three minutes at YOUR pace.
The test will pause, they’ll check your BP and heart recovery and if all is good, you’ll go on to the next phase and so on.
I did to level three fully and half of level four.
Difference for me was I knew this was coming and I trained for it. Bought a treadmill, walked up hills and stairs.
However, I’m no athlete and my EF at the last count was 15%, so they watch you like vultures and any hint of discomfort, you’re off.
Don’t worry about it, they’ll take care of you.
thank you for your thoughtful reply 😤😤😤😤
I don't think you need to train or prepare for the test, it's all about what the test shows up as opposed to how well you can do on the treadmill. That's my understanding anyway.
there is an emergency stop button you can push at your discretion, so when you feel thats it, thats it. They will just gather data, not punish you. Hope it gets you good result.
👍
Do you know why you are having this test? There could be many reasons. This is commonly done for people who have arrhythmias like pvcs and vt. In this case it is done to see if exercise triggers the arrhythmia and it has to be done properly. This means the patient must not try to 'cheat' the test by deliberately under exerting themselves. If they do this then any serious or life threatening heart rhythm that they may have may not be detected and they will not be offered the appropriate treatment. Best wishes.
I have PVCs. My MRI was fine but am doing this test to check all the points. My concern is coming off beta blocker and calcium channel blocker for 48 hours because I know my ticker speeds up quickly without the bb.
Having test to look at structure of heart. Have PVCs. I thought coming off beta blockers was dangerous and that you had to tailor it off?
They push you ONLY as hard as you can manage and you can stop at any time. It's years since my last one and I was struggling to even stand up. I got less than half way through what they usually do but it was enough for them to get the information they needed.
hi moon river. There is nothing to fear. It’s like riding a bike but sideways. It’s very simple nothing much is required of you only to pedal for a short few minutes. You will not be asked to any more than your able to do. I’m 72 and it was a doddle.
Ive got one coming up too. I'm 52 with WPW, and whilst not overweight, i'm not fit in the slightest, Don't worry about the pace, they told me it was just a walk, nothing strenous. I've got to come off betablockers too , but they said none for 24 hours before, so i assume I just dont take any on the day.
Hi adiwillow, I been told to come of bb for 48 hours! 24 hours sounds better!
To be honet, i'm a little confused by 'dont have betablockers for 24 hours before'. Does that mean i can take them on the day that is 24 hours before the test but not on the day itself, or does that mean i have to be 24 hours completely free of betablockers in my system, whichwould essentially be the same as your 48 hours stipulation. I perhaps should ring and clarify as it's hard to know exactly what they mean.
They simply told me the target HR which shows up on the treadmill screen and while another tech nurse ups the pace the tech specialist watches the ECG screen for anomalies. You will be asked if you feel ok and if so you will continue, if not they stop and use the chemical (probably adenocine) to perform a pharmacologic stress test to show the same effects as a treadmill would. The doctor came in at the point when the test was at the max to come and see the ECG screen and to check that everything was ok. A total of 3 experts were in the room. I was in & out of there in 1 hour.
I think it's adenosine that is one of the agents that is used as the chemical stress test, either with the patient on the treadmill or on the exam table.
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